At Paris 2024, there will be an evolution in weights and rules when wrestling begins on August 5.
One of the oldest traditions in Olympic history, wrestling has a long and storied past that has resulted in epic matchups and the birth of legends. Given how the sport was introduced in 1896, one would expect it to have gone through several changes.
In the previous Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020, Japan led the way with five gold medals, while the U.S. had the most medals at nine. In Paris, the field of wrestlers participating will range from those looking to win gold for the first time to multi-medal athletes.
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There are two types of wrestling: freestyle and Greco-Roman. Men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman (only for men) have six weight classes.
- Men's freestyle: 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, 125kg
- Women's freestyle: 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg, 76kg
- Men's Greco-Roman: 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg, 130 kg
Here's a breakdown of the rules and scoring system of wrestling and the major differences between freestyle and Greco-Roman.
Freestyle wrestling rules and scoring
In freestyle, competitors can use their legs and can hold opponents above or below the waist. The threshold for a victory by technical fall is a ten-point lead.
- A maximum of one point can be earned to the wrestler who finally succeeds in completing the hold even if the opposition is doing an irregular hold.
- One point can also be earned if the opponent of the top wrestler refuses refuses correct “par terre” (on the ground) position after a verbal warning.
- A maximum of two points can be earned to the wrestler who has their opponent in a position of danger, likely by blocking them from moving with a unique position.
- Five points can be earned through a grand amplitude throw. That can be from an action that causes an opponent to lose contact with the ground, thereby controlling their momentum, and bringing them to the floor in a direct and dangerous manner.
Greco-Roman wrestling rules and scoring
Per the official website of the Olympics, “wrestlers can score points by executing holds, locks, throws, or other legal takedowns.” The threshold for a victory by technical fall is an eight-point lead.
The value of points are the following:
- A maximum of five points is rewarded from a grand amplitude throw, which forces an opponent to the ground with their back to the mat for several seconds. This move involves the wrestler with the edge controlling their foe.
- Reversals or infractions.
- Pinning an opponent down (both shoulders on the mat) for a significant amount of time results in an instant win.
- Technical superiority (building up a lead with multiple moves) results in an eight-point lead in a match.
How is Greco-Roman different from freestyle wrestling?
Greco-Roman wrestling is exclusively for men, while freestyle features men and women.
Regarding technique, Greco-Roman wrestling forbids holding below the waist. Wrestlers may not use their legs to perform offensive or defensive moves. They must rely on their upper body only to gain an advantage in a match.
A passivity violation differs from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. An evasive wrestler gets put in a favorable position for the active wrestler. After two calls, a bonus point can stop being offered to the active wrestler, but they can still choose to continue the match via standing or par terre.
How do you win in Olympic wrestling?
Each weight category has 16 wrestlers in a single-elimination bracket-style competition. Athletes are knocked out one by one until there are two remaining. The two battle for gold (and silver), while the bronze is awarded in a match called the repechage.
Olympic wrestling matches are six minutes long and consist of two three-minute periods with a 30-second break in between.
The main objective in a match is to pin the opponent. A wrestler can do so by holding an opponent's shoulder blades to the mat for about a second. A pin, known as a "fall," ends the match right away.
If an opponent is not automatically pinned, points can be earned through technical moves. That includes showcasing superiority on the mat, an opponent being disqualified, or an injury.
Olympic Wrestling 2024 tune-in info
- Date: Monday, August 5 - Sunday, August 11
- Locations: Grand Palais Ephemere in Champ de Mars - France
- How to watch:
- U.S.: Peacock | USA Network | Fubo
- CAN: Olympics.com
- U.K.: Olympics.com, BBC.com
- AU: Stan Sport
The Olympics will be available on the USA Network in the U.S. It will also be streamed via Fubo which offers a free trial.